What causes condensation, water dripping in the burner or on the floor around the water heater?
Many times gas fired water heaters are returned as leakers when the heater was not leaking, but rather condensation had formed. Condensation can most easily be defined as a reduction to a denser form (as from water to vapor). A perfect example of condensation is a glass of ice water on a hot day. Whenever a water heater is filled with cold water, a certain amount of condensation will form while the burner is on. A water heater may appear to be leaking when in fact the water is condensation. This usually happens: • When a new water heater is filled with cold water for the first time. • When gas burns and water vapor is produced in water heaters, particularly high efficiency models where flue temperatures are lower. • When using large amounts of hot water in a short time and the refill water is very cold. Moisture from the products of combustion condense on the cooler tank surfaces and form drops of water which may fall onto the burner or other hot surfaces to produce a “sizzling” or “fr
